Apparatus for making plate-glass.



,1. H. McKELVEY & 0. F RYAN.

APPARAIUS FOR MAKING PLATE GLASS APPHEATION mm JUNE 7. uns.

.latented Aug. ('3, 1918.

b SHEETS- SHEEI l.

J. H. MCKELVEY 6: C. F. RYAN. APPARATUS FOR MAKlNG PLATE GLASS.

APPLICAIION man JUNE 1. m5.

1,274,916. Patnted Aug. 6,1918.

5 SHEETSSHET 2.

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J. H. McKELVEY dz C. F. RYAN.

APPARATUS FOR MAKING PLATE GLASS APPHCAHUN HLH) JUNE 7, I915 Patented Aug. 6, 1918.-

5 SHEETS- SHEET 4 20 1 X j w J. H. McKELVEY & C. F. RYAN. APPARATUS FOR MAKING PLATE cuss.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7. |9\5- 1,274,91 6. Patented Aug. 6, 1918.

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L h. MLKEWEY 61 C. F. RYAN.

APPARATUS Hm m/mmu PLATE cuss.

MIUCATXUN HLE'U JUNE 7. HHS

Patented Aug. 6, 1918.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN H. MCKELVEY, OF KIRR'WOOD, AND UHARLES F. RYAN, OF STv LOUIS. MISSOUBI.

APPARATUS FOR MAKING PLATE-GLASS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 6, 1918.

Application flied June 7, 191}. Serial No. 82,589.

a citizen of the United States, residing at Kirkwood, in the county of St. Louis and State of Missouri and Cannons F. RYAN, n citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented ccrtnin new and useful lmprm'ements in Ap nr ratus for Making Plate-Glass, of which the following is a. specification.

This invention relates to iinprmcIm-nls in apparatus for making plule glass. The mo in object of this invention is to provide on upparatus to enable us to carry out the process set forth in our co-pending application Serial No. 20,861 of such character that the batch may be continuously introduced into :1 melting furnace and the meltingcnrried on continuously in contriulistiliction to the processes at present in use, in which uniting pots or flasks are cmployeil. The use of these flasks requires that the hatch therein be replenished from time *n time until the molten glass nears the capo-city of each flask. This requires tjtlllbitltlilllt waste in time and labor and nn inefficient operation at best. Another ohjecti'on lo the flask type of process is that the flasks quite frequently break, causing it loss of their-contents and requir ing shutting down of the furnaces from time to time. Furthermore, the present day methods of handling and conveying the flasks from the melting furnace to the rolling table are laborious and result in much wnsteof time, material, etc.

By the use of our apparatus we are enabled to continuously melt the batch and maintain a constant supply of the molten glass available. Furthermore, we provide a teeming chamber in connection with our on paint-us into which a desired amount. of the molten glass may be directly drawn't'rom the tank furnace and in conjunction with this teeming chamber we provide a rolling table movablmto and from beneath the teeming chamber. We further provide means to deposit the molten glass from the teeming *clnunbcr directly adjacent and beneath the roller. We still further 'rovidc means for actuating the rolling tub e, the roller, and means to remove the rolled plate from the table into the loci. These and other objects and ends weobtuin by the use of the apparatus described below and shown in the occompnnymg drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a horizontal section of our im proved apparatus- Fig. 2 is a vertical section of one of the regenerative sections;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the pmlring end of the tank furnace and show m the rolling table in chwntiou;

Fig. i is a plan view n tho lzrblv in posi tion prl-rlimimn'y to rolling plate;

Fig. 5') is :1 side elevation of the some;

Fig. 15 is on onlnrgml whit oluntiori of the table and actuating mechanism therefor; and

Fig. 7 is an end elevation of the some.

Like numerals refer to like elements throughout the drawings, in which 10 indicates generally the melting furnace comprising the side walls 10, end walls 10" and 10, respectively, hearth or floor 10' composed of suitable refractory blocks or tile, and the top or roof w Suitable charging openings are provided in tho oiul wul] 10, the some being indicated by n'umcihls 10, see Fig. 1. Adjacent the end wall 10 and the openings 10' thcrethrough, are the platforms it)" upon which the batch in deposited previous to its iul rmiuclion into the fin'nuce. When the furnace is in operation sullicient batch is maintained on these platforms to close, or substantially close the openings 10' through which from time to time the batch may be pushed, Combustion chambers 10" are provided in each side of the furnace lead ing through the side walls 10", see Figs. 1 and Leading to these combustion openlugs 10* are the gas and. air ducts 10 and .10 on one side of the furnace, ignited at such openings, and the hot gases travel across the furnace to tho openings on the other side through which they exhaust. Thencothey travel, as indicated by the orrows in F 1g. 2, through the regenerative and at the conclusion 0 a certain period the int checker work operntin to heat the letter" air and gas flow is rcvcrscd and tho previously heated checker work is hl'nvcrscd by the unburned gases and air which arc there by hcatxad, this structure constituting a regen.'-rat.ivc heating apparatus, as 15 well known to those skillcd In tho art.

This combustion of air and gas and tho liltlVQl of the same act-ousthe tank furnace rcsulhs in tho ctlicicnt. melting of tho hutch. which as it; melts, becomes fuscd and grudually flows toward the oppositc end of tho furnace. intermediate the extremities of the furnacc arc provided aliutmcnts 10 pro-- jccting from the side walls it? into the i'ui' mice, and a series of refractory blocks ll constituting links of a floating dam or boom extend hetivccn the sido walls ltlh a pair of those blocks ll having, Lhoir ends abutting against. thc .rliutnu-nt's it)" and inclincd toward lilo charging end of llttl'uruulc. llu intvrlitting lltl arrmigi-m -nt oi llw lilovlw ll maintain them in :1 bout-ll po ition against thr lion id tho lit llll'll plum and i u in so Ili'l on 'i'm-l! "ti' i oi liilltl iil tittltt hulii-airil llw i' im't iii i l" iil'lllt'll gla s living; partially Hlln:itl' l lllPiPl.) lit this construction a small llmv of tho molten glass opcrutcs to maintain thov dam. composed of blocks ll Ill pr pcr position, an

"Will be. obvious. Those blocks ll operatc to prevent the liowing of the scum U! dross floating on the. molten glass. and consequently it. will he apparhnt, hat ll'i'llfill'lilur carried on the :u'n'fucc of th s glass are pro vcntcd from flowing toward the discharge end. lVe have shown a. pair of dams constructed of these. blocks 11. and it is obvious that this number niay be altered, if found desirable.

in the end wall i of tho t'ninzuait pro vided an outlet. opening lt conunnnicating with a discharge trough i and an aliutniont lU is located udjarcnt. tho discharge opcuiug lfi and projc tv into thc former. as is shown in Fig. 1. A. collecting ring or member 13 provided with le or flanges 13 is located in the furnace at juccnt the discharge opening 10', the legs 13 enacting with one wall of the furnace and tho abut.- ment 10 to maintain the ring in proper position. Inasmuch as the latter is constructed of suitable refractory material of loss density than the molten glass it. will float. on the latter and revent, or substantially prevent flowingpl impurities or scum out of thc discharge opening 10". gate "alve 1-4 is provided at the communication of the discharge opening 10' isg a trough 10", s shown in Fig. 3, and tho some may be raised or lowercd to permit, provcnt or regulate flow of molten glass from the furnace into the trough 10, as will be apparent. This gate 14: is preferably concave on its lower rtion to closely fit: thibottom ot trough ll? when in closed positicm. A strap 15 atinched to the, cod wall of the furnace is pro-- vidcxl and it. cxtcnds around thc. valve 14 to prevent. the displacement, of the latter from proper position. The block l0 at tho discharge opening 10" is further )rovided with the inwardlyprojecting shoulder at. its outer end to prcvcnt sidewisc movementv of tho valvc and to assist. in holding the. same against the flow of moltxm glass. A threaded rod 16 is ottachcd to the gate valve 14 and cxtcnds upwardly therefrom through a pair oi" upertnri-d lugs 17 carried by the spaced apa rt brackets 17 which are attached at tho cud of tho furnucc. Between these lugs and threaded on the rod 16 is the hand wheel 19, proper rotation of which will result, in raising or lowering of the rod 16 and gate valve 14, as obvious.

An auxiliary furnace or chamber 20 i providcri adjacvnt the discharge cnd of ill: lurnal-c lit. this chamber being formed with sidr walls '20" and top wall 20". A suitablellllll opening 20 is provided in one of thi sidv walls 20 and through this opening projccts the trough lit. us shown in Fig. 5. Fui-l intakcand discharge openings :20. 2th., rr;- p:ectivcly. are provided, tho SHD'lE-l.7tilll; in countiunication with air and gas ducts 20, 2 which lead from suitable regenerative chambers, generally indicated by numeral 20". It, will be obvious to those skilled in the art that. one. of the openings 20", will supply and provide for ignition of the fuel, the heated gas traveling therefrom around in the teeming chamber 20 and out the other of openings :20, 20, the air and gas supply bring previously heated by the regenerative chambers. v

A collecting saucer or receptacle 2i is mounted. in the furnace 20 and. cmistitutes a bottom thcrefon this sauccrbeing: dishvd or otherwise hollowed out indicated in numeral 21. see Fig. Thin roctptaclc 2t preferably conutructuh as shown in Fig. 1. with the converging sides 21" leading to and forming a 9 out 21" located bcneath tho trou h 10". he collecting saucer 21 is pref crab y formed of refractory material and is mounted in a cast-iron or other metal shell 22 which is preferably apertured, as indinoted by numeral 22". to )rovidc for cooling of thenaucer and shell. he sholl 22 is fur the! provided with transverse. ribs 22" to which is attached a rock shaft 23. This shaft 23 'is provided ht one end with the worm car 23" with which meshes a worm 24 canned on a shaft 25 to which is also socured a. hand wheel 26. It will be obvious that. rotation of this hand wheel in the proper direction will result. in a tillting or partial rotation of the saucer 21 when it is desired to our from the same.

Located cneath the auxiliary furnace 20, extending some distance. to one side thereof, are the tracks 28. A rolling table, genstru ture;

16 i vbars it erably air or Silililllll path (pt-movement thereof are and! guesses-r30, ieprovided, the y wmroeitely formed 7 ,in which are provi ed water'or ether-oooling fluid ducts The table properw'is mounted upon beams 30 extend the cross betweenwhieh beams, formin ,arigid and compact Journa 'bbl' ks wdepend from the beams. In "are a mounted the axles of'wh'eels 32 which roll upon the tracks or, beams 30' are also provid'ed 'invjherunderside of the table'and to these beams 80' isattached a rack 30' ated below, the table in the the up ig t pedestals or brackets 33 in which is-journaled the shaft 34 of the gear 34, meshin with the rack 30'. A motor 38 is moun ad'acent the gear 34, this motor being provi ed with ashaft 37' upon which is mounted a worm 37, normally meshing with the gear 34, so that roper actuation" of the motor 38 will resul t in the rotation of gear 34 and translation of rack 30 together with the table 30. a

We also provide a leer or annealing hirnace, enerally indicated by numeral 40, the same in provided with a char 'ng opening 40 a scent which is provi tionary tab e40", see Fi .1 and 5. At each side of the stationary t le 40" is provided an inclined block 40, see Fig. 5. I ing table 30 may be moved on the tracks 28 to the position shownin Fig. 4, and one end thereo will be adjacent the table 40. {idjaoent its other end, when in such sition, is the scraper table 50, provided with suitable legs-, shown in Fig. 5, Projectin outwardly from each side of the table 50 an secured thereto, is a track guide 50" adapted, when in the position shown in Fi 4 for example, to allne with similar trac s 30 carried b 'the table 30. A scraper member, genera 1y indicated by numeral 51, normally rests on and is sup orted by the table 50, as shown in Fig. 5, t e latter bein provided with an upstanding flange or we! 50 at its end adjacent the r0 ling table 30.

The scraper 51 comprises a rear cross bar 51 on which are ivotally mounted collars 51". Converging ars 51 are attached at one end to the cross bar 51 at one extremity and extend to the scraper blade 51' at their other extremity. A central bar 51 is also provided extending bet can the cross bar 51" and scraper blade 51. qransverse braces 51 extend between the cross bar 51' and the bars 51.- Depending from the cross bar 51 are the legs 51 which in turn are mounted upon rollers'or wheels 51 which ride upon tracks 50", 30", as will be more fully explained. A pressing roller 55 is provided to iom -,the plate, this roller being prefm a as were that of the width of he roll- 7 from the front of the y up the inclined blocks 40 in which position it may be wedged or other-- wise suitably retained to permit the glass gelate to be moved from the table. It will noted that the shaft 23 is substantially parallel to the axis of roller 55.

The trough or trench is provided, referably beneath the stationary table 40 see Fig. 5, in which trench ed the shafts 61, 62.

carries a pair of are rotatably unsung. Each of these shafts drums or winding pulls a 61, 62", respectively, and gears 6 6 res ively. A driving motor 63 is rovi ed, the same having a suitable shaft 64 to which is attached the ar 65 meshin with a second gear 66 carried on an osci stable handle 67. This latter may be moved to throw gear 66 into mesh with either r 61 or ar 62", as will be obvious, see i 4 an 5. Cables or chains 63' extend Ecru around pulleys -61"to and over pulleys 61 mounted in brackets extendin from the front of the leer to shackles or t 'mbles car ried by collars 51" on scraper bar 51'. Similarly, cables 64? extend from around pulle s or drums 52" to and around pulleys 65, mounted in brackets extending outwardly leer, these last named cables car ing hooks 62 at their ends which may shaft of roller 55 between suitable guide disks 55", se Fig. 5, when it is desired to move the roller It is obvious that with these hoo s in engagement and the gears in mesh, as shown in Fig. 5, proper rotation of the motor 63' will draw the roller 55 across the table and upon inclined blocks 40, as described above. At the completion of this operation, the handle 67 may be swung over to enmesh gear 66 with gear 61". Upon fur. ther operation of the motor the scraper 50 will be drawn blade 51 dropping into contact with the table and the plate of glass thereon, as the arms 51", 51" rule forwardly on upstanding flange or wall 50, as W! a parent.

ove ment of this scraper-across t as table will result in pushing the glass plate thereon oil the table onto stationary table-40 and from thence into'the leer. 1

Assuming that the apparatus is in "proper position and inolten glass is contained in the furnace 1b, the operation of our invention is as follows:

The valve 14 is raised whereupon molten glass will flow out through the trough 10' 5. At the sides "of When it is desired t0- fiosition shown in dotted lines slipped over the ends of the across the table 30, the scraper beneath the collecting ring 13, into the collecting saucer 21 which is of sufficient size to contain a proper charge of molten glass. After sufficient of the molten glass has been drawn off, the valve 14 is movcd to closing position cutting off the flow of glass. l'lcat me then be applied to the chamber 20. it' it is desired to settle or clear or fu 'thcr fuse the glass for whatever period may on desir able until the molten glass is of a proper consistency and homogcl'icity and al the proper temperature for pouring. lly utiliz ing a shallow dish or saucer, of the nature shown and described, the vsurface exposed to the action of the auxiliary furnace heat is comparatively great in proportion to depth of the glass, so that this settling or clearing may be equably and rapidly perform (1 in eontradistmction to the settling of the glass in the ordinary flasks, Furthermore the heat. in the auxiliary chamhcr may he rcadily re ulated, as dcsirctl.

l vhen the gin has rcachcd ii Condition in thc sauccr i1. lhc rocl; shaft propcr is operated and thc sauccr tiltcd at the dc sired speed, the tahlc I'M [Icing ill the poition shown in Fig. l. for cxamplc sulmdjaccut. to saucer 21. As the saut-cr is tilted the molten glass will he dclircrcd closc to and partially beneath the roller rm. as indicated in Fig. 3. As the saucer is tilted the table is prcfcrably moved at a uniform rate from beneath the teeming furnace 30 toward the leer. this movement, when regulated in coirmnfiim with the tilting of the saucer 21 by a skilled operator. resulting in thadcposit of a uniform ribbon or mass of' I .oltcn glass close to and partially hencati .nc i'ollr 35 for the entire width of thc table. Tins simplilics and improves thc rolling of thc plate which next takes )lacc. The table is moved by means of tie motor and rack, described above. to the position shown in Fig. l, hetween tables no and J when chains ill" may he attachcd to tln shaft of thc roller m. (lears (30 are enmeshed with gears lb" and the motor 3 is actuated to move the roller 55 across the table 30 resulting in the squeezing out of the glass plate to a thickness corresponding to the height of the gage strips 55".

By the use of this apparatus we are enabled to eliminate the greater portion of the labor required in present day practice to distribute and spread the molten glass on the table adjacent the roller, as the arrange ment of the saucer with respect to the roller and the movability of the table permit uniform distribution of the molten glass directly beneath the roller and closely adacent there to, as explained above.

After the roller is carried across the table it is moved-up on the blocks 40, as indi- 'cated in dotted lines in Fig. 5, in which poflition it may be retained by wedge blocks or the like. The gear 66 is then thrown into mesh with gears 61, as described above, and the scraper is moved across the table to push the glass plate therefrom into the leer wherein it may be annealcd or further treated.

lly the use and practice of our improved apparatus we are enabled to provide and utilize a continuous melting, eliminating the use of the ordinary flasks or pots objectionahlc on account of their relatively small capacity and their wear and expense and the confusion resulting from their breaking. \Ve also eliminate, to a considerable extent. the labor required at present to turn out. plate glass by eliminating the use of the flasks and their consequent handling. in addition, we obtain a more even and consistent product and are enabled to properly settle and trcat. the molten glass as desired.

it. will be apparent that our apparatus provides many other advantages over those now in nsc. and it will also he apparcnl; that our iuvcuti'm i sus eptible of modifici-ttions ind iinprmcnn-nts and we do not Wish to ho re tricted to thc form shown and described beyond the s ope f the appended claims.

What we claim is:

t. In apparatus for making plate glass, a melting furnacc. an auxiliary treating chamber, a collection receptacle located in said chamber thermally independent of said furnace, means to deliver a charge of molten glass from said furnace to said receptacle in said chamber, and means to heat said chamber independently of said furnace. t

2. ln apparatus for making plate glass, a melting: furnace, an auxiliary treating chambcr thermally independent of said furnace, a collection receptacle located in said chambcr and forming t'hc bottom thereof, n 'zns to dclircr a charge of molten lass from said furnacc to said rcccptaclc, 111%l1l3fll15 to heat said chamber independently of said furnace.

3. in apparatus for nutliing plate glass, it lllllllllg 'lnrimcc, an auxiliary treating chunr bcr thcrnuilly independent, of said furnace, a collection receptacle located in said chamber, means to deliver a charge of molten glass from said furnace to said receptacle, means to heat said chamber independently of said furnace, and a rolling-table movable to a position subjacent to saidcollection ber, means to deliver a char e of molteno.

glass from said furnace to said receptacle, means to heat said chamber independently of said furnace, and a rollingble movable to a position subjacent i l sai receptacle,

the latter being tiltably'mounted in said chamber and operable to deposit its charge directl on said table beneath the roller thereo 5. In combination, a melting furnace, a thermally independent auxiliary treating chamber located adjacent to and spaced from said furnace, means to heat said chamber independently of said furnace, means to transfer a charge of glass directly from said furnace to said chamber, said means comrising a trou h or the like, said trough projecting throug a wall. of said chamber, and a comparatively shallow collection recap tacle located in said chamber to receive glass from said. trough. 1

6. In combination, a melting furnace, at auxiliary treating chamber located adjacent to and spaced from and thermally independent of said furnace, means to transfer a charge of glass from said furnace to said chamber, said means comprising a trough or the like, said trough projecting through a Wall of said chamber, and a comparatively shallow collection receptacle located in said chamber to receive glass from said trough, said receptacle being tillably mounted to dcliver its contents upon a rolling-table, or the like.

7. In combination, a melting furnace, an auxiliary treatin chamber located adjacent to and spaced rom and. thermally inde pendent of said furnace, means to transfer a charge of glass from said. furnace to said chamber, said means comprising a trough or the like, said trough progectmg through a wall of said chamber, and a shallow collec tion receptacle located in and forming the bottom of said auxiliary chamber to receive glass from said trough.

8. In combination, a melting furnace, an.

auxiliary treatin chamber located adjacent to and spaced rom and thermally independent of said furnace, means to transfer a charge of glass from said furnace to said chamber, said means comprising a trough or the like. said trough projecting through a wall of said chamber, and a shallow colleclion receptacle located in. and forming the bottom of said auxiliary chamber to receive glass from said trough, said receptacle being tiltably mounted to deliver its charge to a rollin -table or the like.

9. n combination, a melting furnace, an auxiliary treatin chamber located adjacent to and spaced rom and thermally independent of said furnace, means to transfer a charge of lass from said furnace to said chamber, saii means comprising a trough or the like, said trough projecting through a wall of said chamber, a comparatively shallow collection receptacle located in said chamber to receive glass from said trou b, said receptacle being t rried on a rotatable shaft, and means to rotate said shaft to tilt said receptacle.

16. In apparatus for making plate glass, in, combination, a melting furnace, an auxiliary treating chamber located adjacent thereto and spaced and thermally independent therefrom, said chamber being provided with a collection receptacle, a leer, and a rolling-table movable from a position subjacent to said receptacle to a position ad jacent said leer.

In testimony whereof we have subscribed our names JOHN H. McKELVEY. CHARLES F. RYAN. Witnesses:

M. J. WESTPHALEN, Feancns Jonmson. 

